E. R. Braithewaite, Author of "To Sir, With Love, Dies

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

The New York Times has an interesting piece on this Cambridge-educated diplomat, former RAF pilot and author who was responsible for the blockbuster "To Sir, With Love", which became a well-regarded film with Sidney Poitier playing Braithewaite. Braithwaite lived to be 104.

The book was his attempt to convey his experiences when he taught in some of England's more squalid slums, and to give a picture of the plight of the post-World War II immigrants of color to the U.K. Braithwaite was one of those wonderful teachers who breaks through the protective shell of his students and tries to show them the world and how it could be.

Poitier gives one of his powerhouse performances in film, one of controlled intensity. Nobody can do "righteous anger" like Poitier!